{"id":2099792,"date":"2026-08-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2099792"},"modified":"2026-08-18T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:00:00","slug":"dark-emotions-evoke-growth-in-alejandro-aguliar-canelas-graphite-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2099792","title":{"rendered":"Dark Emotions Evoke Growth in Alejandro Aguliar Canela\u2019s Graphite Drawings"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1395\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-5.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cHow to Stand Against Adversity\u201d (2022). Blue lead mechanical pencil on vellum, 39.3 x 31.5 inches. Images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Dark Emotions Evoke Growth in Alejandro Aguliar Canela\u2019s Graphite Drawings<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-08-18T15:02:13-05:00\">August 18, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-illustration\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/illustration\/\" rel=\"tag\">Illustration<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/jandres\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Jackie Andres<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"colossal-share-buttons\">\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--facebook\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F08%2Falejandro-aguliar-canela-graphite-drawings%2F&amp;title=Dark%20Emotions%20Evoke%20Growth%20in%20Alejandro%20Aguliar%20Canela%26%238217%3Bs%20Graphite%20Drawings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Share<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--pinterest\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F08%2Falejandro-aguliar-canela-graphite-drawings%2F&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F08%2Fcanela-5-960x670.jpg&amp;description=Dark%20Emotions%20Evoke%20Growth%20in%20Alejandro%20Aguliar%20Canela%26%238217%3Bs%20Graphite%20Drawings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share to Pinterest\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pin<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--email\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#08377b7d6a626d6b7c354c697a632d3a384d65677c6167667b2d3a384d7e67636d2d3a384f7a677f7c602d3a3861662d3a3849646d6269666c7a672d3a38496f7d6461697a2d3a384b69666d64692d3a3e2d3a3b303a393f2d3b4a7b2d3a384f7a697860617c6d2d3a384c7a697f61666f7b2e696578336a676c71354c697a632d3a384d65677c6167667b2d3a384d7e67636d2d3a384f7a677f7c602d3a3861662d3a3849646d6269666c7a672d3a38496f7d6461697a2d3a384b69666d64692d3a3e2d3a3b303a393f2d3b4a7b2d3a384f7a697860617c6d2d3a384c7a697f61666f7b2d3a382d4d3a2d30382d313c2d3a38607c7c787b2d3b492d3a4e2d3a4e7f7f7f267c60617b617b6b6764677b7b6964266b67652d3a4e3a383a3e2d3a4e38302d3a4e69646d6269666c7a6725696f7d6461697a256b69666d6469256f7a697860617c6d256c7a697f61666f7b2d3a4e\" aria-label=\"Email this article\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Email<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--copy\">\n\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Copy article link\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link colossal-share-button__copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/08\/alejandro-aguliar-canela-graphite-drawings\/\" data-label-default=\"Copy\" data-label-copied=\"Copied!\" data-aria-default=\"Copy article link\" data-aria-copied=\"Link copied to clipboard\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-live=\"polite\">Copy<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--bookmark\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"476904\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/alejandrocanela.com\/artwork\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alejandro Aguilar Canela<\/a> finds profound value in what may be seen as some of our bleakest emotions. Delving into subject matters such as depression, anger, abandonment, fear, individuality, sexuality, and more, Canela strives to understand the multitudes within each, and how their shadowy paths have the ability lead us somewhere brighter.<\/p>\n<p>Though occasionally venturing into sculpture, the Austin, Texas-based artist specializes in drawing. His works range in size, with many of his compositions spanning two to four feet wide on both traditional paper and vellum. Canela largely employs graphite and fine line mechanical pencil, welcoming \u201cmistakes\u201d or inadvertent motifs\u2014such as smudges and unplanned marks\u2014that mirror his personal philosophy of embracing adverse emotions. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-17.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cIf I Could Protect You\u201d (2024), mechanical pencil on paper, 14.3 x 14.4 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cIf I Could Protect You\u201d (2024), mechanical pencil on paper, 14.3 x 14.4 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cIf I Could Protect You\u201d (2024), mechanical pencil on paper, 14.3 x 14.4 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2003\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-17.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476920\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cIf I Could Protect You\u201d (2024), mechanical pencil on paper, 14.3 x 14.4 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThere is another side to our own darkness, one that can reveal new perspectives and accelerate personal transformation,\u201d the artist says. \u201cIt\u2019s more about not discarding what might be considered unwanted, but instead finding some use for it.\u201d As a result, these innermost feelings often manifest through unique characters, as Canela creates human-like forms to give them shape.<\/p>\n<p>Several of Canela\u2019s works are included in this year\u2019s Critic\u2019s Choice exhibition at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kismithgallery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ki Smith Gallery<\/a> in New York, which is on view through September 6. Find more from the artist on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alejandrocanela\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 01\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 01\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 01\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2503\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-3.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476907\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cA Rodent in the House 01\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cHow to Stand Against Solitude\u201d (2024), 25.4 x 34.4 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cHow to Stand Against Solitude\u201d (2024), 25.4 x 34.4 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cHow to Stand Against Solitude\u201d (2024), 25.4 x 34.4 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-6.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476910\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cHow to Stand Against Solitude\u201d (2024), 25.4 x 34.4 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cIf You\u2019re Here, Congratulations\u201d (2026), mechanical pencil on paper, 22.4 x 30.3 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cIf You\u2019re Here, Congratulations\u201d (2026), mechanical pencil on paper, 22.4 x 30.3 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cIf You\u2019re Here, Congratulations\u201d (2026), mechanical pencil on paper, 22.4 x 30.3 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2503\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-8.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476912\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cIf You\u2019re Here, Congratulations\u201d (2026), mechanical pencil on paper, 22.4 x 30.3 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-14.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cUndone B\u201d (2023), mechanical pencil on paper, 36 x 36 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cUndone B\u201d (2023), mechanical pencil on paper, 36 x 36 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cUndone B\u201d (2023), mechanical pencil on paper, 36 x 36 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1914\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-14.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476918\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cUndone B\u201d (2023), mechanical pencil on paper, 36 x 36 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cSad Boy\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cSad Boy\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cSad Boy\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2503\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-10.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476914\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cSad Boy\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-15.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\" data-rl_title=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\" data-rl_caption=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-15.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476919\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cIdol\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cIdol\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cIdol\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2005\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-7.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476911\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cIdol\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-12.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cWet Dog\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cWet Dog\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cWet Dog\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2503\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-12.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476916\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cWet Dog\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-9.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cMother\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cMother\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cMother\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2785\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-9.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476913\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cMother\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-13.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\" data-rl_title=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\" data-rl_caption=\"From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-13.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476917\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 03\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 03\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cA Rodent in the House 03\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2503\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-4.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476908\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cA Rodent in the House 03\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-2.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476906\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476904\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/canela-1.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-476905\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. 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Blue lead mechanical pencil on vellum, 39.3 x 31.5 inches. Images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission Dark Emotions Evoke Growth in Alejandro Aguliar Canela\u2019s Graphite Drawings August 18, 2026 Illustration Jackie Andres Share Pin Email Copy Bookmark Alejandro Aguilar Canela finds profound value in what may be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-2099792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2099792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2099792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2099792\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2099792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2099792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2099792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}